Page 53 of Esperance

“Amryn!” Jayveh rushed over and grasped Amryn’s hand. “I was so worried when no one could find you!”

The wash of her relief was wholly sincere, and Amryn squeezed the princess’s fingers. “Is everyone else accounted for?”

Jayveh’s head bobbed, but before she could speak, the high cleric’s voice boomed, calling for quiet.

Once he was sure he had the room’s attention, he said, “I know this is difficult and you all have questions, but I need you to remain calm.”

“Remain calm?” Darrin bit out. “Cora wasmurderedand you want us toremaincalm?”

Marriset clung to her husband’s arm, and she visibly trembled as she said, “Any one of us might be next!”

“I can’t believe she was killed.” Sadia burst into tears, and Samuel put his arm around her.

The high cleric lifted his hands. “We are increasing the guards and conducting a search of the grounds. Obviously, there will be an investigation—”

“By who?” Ivan interrupted. “Your worthless guards?”

The high cleric’s expression tightened as he shot the other man a look. “I know you’re upset, but please step down from the—”

“Neeyev.” Ivan took a menacing step toward the high cleric, but Argent caught his arm and held him back. That didn’t stop Ivan’s glare, or the accusing finger he thrust toward the high cleric. “Solicht var is haveroff!”he spat.

Amryn stole a look at Carver to see how he’d reacted to Ivan’s use of Sibeten. While old languages could still be taught, everyone in the empire spoke Craethen. It was the required language, and usually no one dared speak an old tongue in any official setting.

Carver’s face revealed nothing, however, and his emotions were once again strangely muted.

She didn’t know how he did that.

The high cleric’s face went red. “Now, see here—”

“This isyourfault,” Ivan growled at him. “She should have been safe here! How could you let this happen?”

Chancellor Trevill stepped forward, putting himself between Ivan and the high cleric. “Easy. There is no use in—”

“Where were you?” the high cleric demanded of Ivan, overriding Trevill. “What have you been doing this morning?”

Ivan’s fury darkened, making Amryn’s stomach twist. “Are you truly accusing me of this?”

“You were perhaps the last person to see your wife alive,” Zacharias said.

“Enough!” Argent’s voice filled the room, silencing everyone on the dais and everyone standing near it. He turned to the high cleric. “You will increase the guards, and you will continue to search every part of Esperance.”

The high cleric bristled. “Of course. The emperor placed me in charge, and I will see that Cora’s killer is found.”

Beside Amryn, Carver felt a flash of irritation.

Argent’s annoyance was less pronounced, but it was still clear that he didn’t appreciate the high cleric’s unsubtle attempt to re-establish his authority. His lips parted, but before he could speak, someone new entered the room.

Amryn turned with the others to see Emperor Lorcan, surrounded by guards, slowly cross the floor toward them. His movements were labored, and the guards that hovered protectively around him only made him seem frailer. Sorrow billowed out from him, along with pain from his still-healing wound. He didn’t move for the dais, but instead came to a stop near Carver.

Amryn had never been so close to the emperor, and every hair on her body lifted in response to his proximity.

Everyone bowed deeply—Amryn included.

The emperor gestured for them to rise, weariness dragging his shoulders down as he said, “I am deeply grieved by Cora’s death. It is an atrocity that never should have happened, especially on such hallowed ground.” His gaze drifted to Ivan. “I offer you my condolences, as well as an assurance that her death will be avenged.”

Ivan said nothing—his face could have been carved from stone.

He switched his focus to Trevill. “I want you to conduct the investigation.”